Cold Front
February 15, 2015
The Northeast portion of the United States continues to be pounded by winter storms, while those a bit further south have had it a bit easier-until this weekend.
A cold front blew in with rapidly dropping temperatures and gusting winds. Storm clouds began to form early in the evening as snow was also expected.
Those black streaks are birds zipping by…the very strong tailwind seemed to just blow them past.
A snow squall also accompanied the frigid air as temperatures fell into the single digits-below zero if the wind-chill factor was included.
Once on the ground, the snow continued to be pushed along by wind gusts of 20-50 mph. When the blowing snow encounters a precipice, it will then curve over the edge and harden into a cornice.
A cornice is a feature common in the mountains and climbers try very, very carefully to avoid them. Stepping through a cornice usually leads to a very long fall unless one is tethered to another climber or an anchor-such an event plays a major role in the movie Touching the Void. These cornices were much less threatening and, in fact, resembled a gently cresting wave at the beach.
If only…
Take care.